Education undervalued in Scotland, teachers say

Almost four in five teachers surveyed did not feel that a work-life balance was achievablePA

Teachers feel disrespected and overworked and most do not believe that education is valued in Scotland, according to a study.

The findings of a survey of more than 1,300 teachers also revealed that almost four in five did not feel they could achieve a work-life balance while only 15 per cent felt they were given the chance to influence national education policy.

In response to the findings, part of an international study of education systems, teachers’ representatives accused the Scottish government of failing to back up rhetoric about empowering the profession. Scotland is facing a teacher recruitment crisis, with around a quarter of places on postgraduate training courses unfilled for secondary school roles.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, the teachers’…